Communications system with star topology

摘要

A communications system includes an optical network which has a star topology. A number of nodes are connected to the periphery of the network. A number of routers are located at the hub of the network, and route traffic between different nodes depending on the wavelength of received optical signals. Each of the routers is connected in parallel to the different nodes and has a capacity which is less than that of the network as a whole. The total capacity of the routers is greater than that of the network as a whole. Switches may be provided to select alternative routes via the network and the routers in the event of a component failure. The system is suitable for use in a telecommunications core network.